Acetylene-gas generator.



PATENTED DEC. 13, 1904. BUOHER 13'. A. WARLIOK A.

AUETYLENE GAS GENERATOR.

APPLIOATIOH FILED OCT. 21, 1903.

9. 3HEET8BHEET 1 NO MODEL.

W l ll Li @Alfmnga ys PATENTED DEC. 18, 1904. BUOHER.

AGETYLENE GAS GENERATOR.

B. A. WARLIOK 6: A. S.

AP'P'LTUATIQN FILED OUT.21,1903.

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UNITED STATES Patented December 13, 190a.

PATENT OFFICE.

BARTOVV A. WARLICK AND ALFRED S. BUGHER, OF ATLANTA, GEORGIA.

ACETYLENE GAS GENERATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming" part of Letters Patent No. 777,356, dated December 13, 1904.

Application filed October 21, 1903. gerial No. 177,954. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that we, BAn'row A. \Vnnmon and ALFRED S. Bnon'nn, citizens of the United States, residing at Atlanta, in the county of Fulton and State of Georgia, have invented a new and useful Acetylene-Gas Generator, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to acetylenegas generators; and. it consists in certain improvements hereinafter described, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In acetylenegas generators some of the common defects are imperfect protection of the calcium carbid, the accidental escape of gas from the generator, particularly when the generator is opened for recharging, and imperfect action of the valves by which the carbid is fed to the water in the generator.

The present invention has for its object the production of a simple, inexpensive, and thoroughly practical acetylene-gas generator from which all of the above-mentioned defects have been eliminated.

With this object in view the invention cornprises improved means for protecting the calcium carbid while in the generator, improved means for securing the top of the generator in position, whereby the opening of the generator is prevented when thereis communication between the generator and the gasometer in which the gas is stored for use.

The invention also comprises an improved valve-operating mechanism actuated by the descent of the gas-bell in the gasoineter and an automatic indicator, by means of which the quantity of carbid in the apparatus will be clearly shown at all times.

In describing the invention reference will be had. to the accompanying drawings, in which there is illustrated the preferred form of embodiment of the invention, it being understood that the apparatus shown may be varied as to the form and proportions of the parts and their exact mode of assemblage without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing its advantages.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a view of the generator in side elevation. Fig. 2 is a view in vertical section. Fig. 3 is a plan view with part broken away, and l ig. 1 is a detail view in perspective of the means for fastern ing the cover of the generator and the valveoperating mechanism to control the passage of gas to the gasometer.

Referring to the drawings, in which corresponding parts are designated by similar char actors of reference, 1 designates the lower cylindrical portion of the generator, at the top of which is provided a conical portion 2, leading to a smaller cylindrical neck 3, at the top of which is provided a close-fitting hinged cover 1. At one side of the generator and attached to the cylindrical portion 1 is a vertically arranged strip of metal 5, which is bent so as to form a passage which communicates with the interior of the generator through an opening 6. A funnel-shaped top 7 is provided at the upper end of the passage and an overflow-spout 8 is arranged in the side of the strip 5, as shown. The passage formed by the strip 5 serves for the introduction of water into the generator and also affords a location for the actuating-rod 10 of an agitator 9, arranged in the bottom of the generator.

l/Vithin the portion 1 of the generator at the level of the overflow-spout 8 is arranged a horizontal partition .11, at the center of which rises a conical extension 12, to which is joined at the top an inverted cone 13, which forms the bottom of a receiver is for a carbid-holder 15, of a shape to correspond to that of the receiver. The carbid-holder 15 is provided near the bottom with a transverse bar 16, having an opening in the middle to serve as a guide for a valve-operating rod 17, which is suitably arranged in the carbid-holder. The rod 17 is connected at the bottom with a valve 18, preferably of the form shown, and provided on its upwardly-tapering outer surface with a plurality of pointed spurs or spikes 19, which serve to disintegrate the carbid when it packs around the valve in the bottom of the receptacle. I

At the top of the carbid-holder 15 there is pivotally mounted at one side a lever 20,which extends entirely across the carbid-holder, as shown, and is pivotally connected with the valve-operating rod 17. At its free end this lever is slotted, and a rod 21, arranged for vertical reciprocation in guides 22 on the outside of the receiver 14, is detachably secured in the slot. The rod 21 is pivotally connected at its lower end with a lever 23, which is pivoted in the middle upon a bracket 24, secured on top of the horizontal partition 11. Movement is imparted to the lever 23 by means of a rod 25, extending downward into the generator through a tube 26, fixed in the conical portion 2 of the generator near its base. The rod 25 is pivotally connected with a lever 27, fulcrumed at one end in bearings provided on the neck 3 of the generator and having its free end disposed oy er the gas-bell 28 of the gasometer, (indicated generally as 29.)

At the side of the receiver 14 opposite the rod 21 is mounted a small sheave or pulley 30, over which runs a cord 31 of suitable character, which bears on the end disposed within the carbid-holder a weight 32. The cord 31 passes downward outside of the receiver 14 to a small sheave 33, mounted on the partition 11, and after passing under the sheave 33 is carried upward and over a third sheave, 34, in the neck 3 of the generator. The end of the cord 31 hangs down outside of the generator and carries a small weight 35, which moves over a scale provided on the neck of the generator and graduated to show the depth of the carbid within the holder. As the weight 32 is heavier than the weight 35, it will rest upon the carbid in the holder, and as the carbid is used up the weight will descend in the holder, while the smaller weight 35 will rise over the scale on the neck of the generator.

To prevent the escape of gas from the gen- I erator by passing upward through the carbidholder or between the holder and the receiver therefor, a bell 36 is fitted over the receiver and the carbid-holder as well as the valve-operated rod 21 and the descending portion of the cord 31. The bell 36 has its open bottom sealed by water introduced into the top of the cylindrical portion of the generator above the partition 11 and rising to the base of the conical portion 2. The water is introduced above the partition 11 through a funnel 37, attached to the outer surface of the neck 3 and communicating with an opening 38 formed in the side of the neck.

To convey the gas from the generator to the gasometer, a gas-pipe 40 is provided, and a three-way valve 41 is placed in the pipe just outside of the generator. The pipe 40 extends horizontally to the vicinity of the gasometer and then turns downward to enter the gasometer near the bottom, as usual, but terminates in a vertical portion 42, which rises to the top of the gas-bell 28, as shown in Fig. 2.

In order to prevent theremoval of the cover from the generator while the gas-pipe 40 is open to aiford communication between the generator and the gasometer, the handle 43, by which the three-way valve 41 is operated, is provided with an extension 44, having an eye in which is pivotally mounted a link 46, and the link is connected at its other end with a fastening device for the cover 4 of the generator. The fastening device consists of a rod 47, arranged vertically on the outside of the neck 3 of the generator and adapted for rotation on a vertical axis. The rod 47 is provided at the top and bottom with laterallydisposed extensions 48 and 49, respectively,

the two extensions being disposed in planes at an angle to each other and being so proportioned that when the three-way valve is open the rod 47 will be held in the position shown in Fig. 4, with the extension 48 overlying the cover 4 of the generator and holding it firmly in position. the three-way valve is also connected with the rod 50, which operates the outlet-valve 51 at the bottom of the generator, and the rod and valve are so arranged that the outlet-valve cannot be opened when the pipe 40, leading to the gasometer, is open.

The gas-pipe, through which the gas passes from the gasometer to the burners for consumption, is shown at 52 with its inductionopening directed upward beneath the gasbell 28. Its other end is connected with a cylindrical filter-chamber 54, mounted on the side of the gasometer 29 and provided at the top with a removable screw-plug 55 for the removal and introduction of filtering material, such as cotton-wool. The pipe by which the gas emerges from the filter is shown near the top of the filter at 56.

To facilitate the escape of excess of gas from the gasometer in order to prevent the undue rise of the gas-bell, we provide a blowoff pipe 57 within the gasometer, which is incased by a tubular cover 58, mounted in the bell and rising slightly above the top thereof. The pipe 57 is connected with a pipe 59 on the outside of the gasometer, which extends upward and opens into a horizontal pipe 60, having one end connected with the three-way valve 41 and the other end open, as best seen in Fig. 1. When the gas-bell rises to the upward limit of its movement, gas escapes through the pipe 57, the pipe 59, and the pipe 60, with which the said pipe 59 is connected. hen it is desired to permit the escape of gas from the generator without causing it to pass through the gasometer, the three-way valve 41 may be turned to place the gas-pipe 40 in connection with the escape-pipe 60.

To put the apparatus in condition for use, water will be introduced into both chambers in the generator-tank and into the gasometer in suitable quantities. Then the carbid-holder which will have been previously removed from the apparatus will be charged with carbid, placed in position in the receiver, and the The handle 43 of valve-operating lever sprung into engagement with the rod 21. The protective bell 36 will then be fitted over the top of the carbid-holder and the cover of the generator-tank fastened.

, The operation of the device is automatic, as will be readily understood from the drawings. When the gas-bell 28 is lilled with gas, it will be raised and the valve in the carbid-holder will be closed by the action of the levers and operating-rods connected therewith. \Vhen the quantity of gas in the gas-bell is small, the bell will sit low in the gasometer and will hold the carbid-feed valve open, so that the carbid may pass down into the water in the generator-tank.

The removal of the spent carbid from the apparatus is effected through the outlet-valve 50 in the usual manner.

Having thus described the construction and operation of our invention, what we claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In an acetylene-gas generator, the combination with a water-tank, ot a carbid-holder discharging thereinto, a carbid-feed valve in said holder,awater-sealed cap over said holder, valve-operating mechanism comprising a lever mounted at the top of said carbid-holder and operatively connected with said valve, a second lever mounted below the covering of said carbid-holder, a connection between. said levers, and mechanism operated by the increase and decrease of gas in the generator to impart movement to the last-mentioned lever.

2. In an acetylene-gas generator, the conibination with a water-tank, of acarbid-holder discharging into said tank, a water-sealed cover over said carbidholder, a valve-operating lever pivoted on the top of said carbid-holder, a second lever pivoted below the bottom of said cover, a link connecting said levers, a gas ometer, a movable gas-bell in said gasometer, and operative connections between said gasbell and the last-mentioned lever.

3. In an acetylene-gas generator, a watertank having a receiver for a earbid-holder at the top thereof, a carbid-h older removably secured in said receiver, a carbid-t'eed valve in the bottom of said holder, a water-sealed cap over said carbid-holder, a substantially vertical valve-operating rod arranged for reciprocatory movement between said cover and said receiver, mechanism connecting the upper end and said holder, a valve-operating rod arranged ii'or vertical reci n'ocation between said receiver and said cover, said rod being detachably connected with said lever and mechanism for imparting moven'lent to said rod.

5. In apparatus of the class described, a carbid-holder from which carbid is lied by gravity, a water-sealed cover for said carbid-holder, and an indicator eon'iprising a cord, a relatively heavy weight disposed in said holder and a relatively light weight disposed outside of the water-sealed cover, said cord being supported upon suitable guide members.

6. 1n apparatus of the class described, a carbid-holder from which carbid is fed into a water-tank, a water-sealed cover over said carbid-holder, and an indicator colnprisinga relatively heavy weight disposed in said holder, a cord attached to said weight passing upward over the rim of said holder, downward beneath said water-sealed cover and upward over a suitable supporting member and a rela tively light weight upon the outer end of said cord.

7. ilInanparatus ot' the class described, a water-tank having a horizontal partition, a receiverl1'0r a carbid-holder mounted on said partition and having an open bottom, a carbid-holder removably secured in said receiver, a carbid-t'eed valve in the bottom of said holder and having a valve-rod extending to the top of the holder, a water-sealed cover over said receiver and carbid-holder, valveoperating mechanism comprising a lever pivotally mounted upon said horizontal partition and operatively connected with said valverod at its upper end, and mechanism operated by the increase and decrease of gas in the generator for imparting movement to said lever.

8. In apparatus of the class described, a water-tank closed at the top and divided into up per and lower chambers, a receiver arranged in the upper chamber and having its bottom opening into the lower chamber, a removable carbid-holder fitted in said receiver, a carbidfeed valve in said holder, a protective bell covering said receiver and carbid-holder and sealed by water in said upper chamber, a lever pivotally mounted in said upper chamber below said cover, a rod extending upward from said lever and operatively connected with said feed-valve, a tube extending through the top of said tank, a rod attached to said lever and extending upward through said tube, and mechanism external to the tank and operated by the increase and decrease of gas in said apparatus to impart movement to said rod.

9. in apparatus of the class described, a water-tank having a closed top and being divided into upper and lower chambers, a carbidholder discharging by gravity into said lower chamber, aprotcctive bell covering said holder and having its bottom sealed by water in said IIO upper chamber, a cord bearing a Weight at our own We have hereto afiixed our signatures efltch enlgl caliralniged wish thg heavier Flt eight in in the presence of two witnesses. t e car i 0 er, sai cor passing own be- T neath the protective bell and having its other 5 end disposed outside of the tank, said Weights and cord forming an indicator to show the Witnesses: quantity of carbid in the holder. M. A. FALL,

In testimony that We claim the foregoing as W. H. MORTON, J r. 

